1.4. Moving On Up

"Of course I can cover Rob's shift!  I just, don't know how long it will take me to get through to the bar - the air is full of this fluffy white stuff....  Snow you say?  What is that?  Uh-huh.  Uh-huh.  So, I should put on something warm then?  Great, I'll be over as soon as I have done that."

"Fffffffffffffffffffffff... I wish I had known about the snow thing sooner, damn you Sim-ess."
You really shouldn't take my name in vain, Sche.
"I don't care.  It's colder than a polar bear's left paw and you never told me to dress in something warmer."
You should be happy for the extra shifts.
"I am... extremely."

"You're doing a great job, Scheherazade - absolutely splendid," Alan complemented her on her work.
"Thanks boss!" she beamed back.

She spun the bottle with a flourish, turning back to the customer. "Was that with or without the lemon?"
"Wuh-with."

It was probably for the best that she had no idea how others in the bar thought of her.

As she was leaving her shift, Scheherazade almost bumped into a customer.
"So, sorry Miss... hey - do I know you?  You look familiar?" the gentleman suddenly seeming to recognize her.
"No, I don't believe we've met before."  Scheherazade looked at him quizzically.
"My name is Thomas..."

A most peculiar expression suddenly gripped his face.
"And you're Scheherazade... the bitch that thinks she can get away from anything!"

"Well, get away from this, Scheherazade," he hissed and lunged towards her.

He grabbed her, pulled her towards him and kissed her ardently.
Not expecting this in the least, Scheherazade wrapped one arm around his arm and reached for his neck with the other to pull him off of her.

"What in the seven hells do you think you are doing?" she snarled at him.  What made you think you had any right to touch me, let alone... violate me like that!  You cretinous thug!

She slapped him for his disrespect towards her.

He was still reeling when she continued her tirade.  "You deserve worse for your despicable behaviour.  By rights I should curse you, perhaps make you distasteful to all women, not that you can't do a good enough job of THAT yourself!"

"What on earth did you do to me?"  Thomas backed up, looking at Scheherazade with disdain.  "I was just introducing myself, there was no need to slap me, you crazy cow."
Scheherazade backed up, hoping that she was not seeing the signs she thought she was seeing.  "I slapped you because you kissed me, without my permission."

"No... I just introduced myself... I would never do something like that!" Thomas looked confused.
Scheherazade gulped.  Ensorcellment.  Genies could make humans do THEIR bidding from time to time and there was only one other freed genie in town that she knew of.

Scheherazade tried to force a smile.  "I am so sorry, it must have been a misunderstanding. Let me buy you a drink.  We'll brush it under the carpet and start over.

Scheherazade hated herself for distracting him so that she could do a counter-casting, but she need to make sure she knew who had ensorcelled him.

The image from her spell confirmed it.  Shit.  She was right.  Lash was using innocent mortals to stalk her.

Scheherazade quickly finished up for the night and headed home.  Shaken and more than a little stirred.



Knowing that Supernaturals were less likely to becomes enslaved by another genie, Scheherazade found herself spending more and more time around them.  There truly were an astounding number of Supernaturals in Starlight Shores when you took the time to look for them.  She had soon built a circle of friends comprised of Vampires, Werewolves, Fairies, Wizards and even a zombie.

"C'mon, Sche, darling!  You've been rotting inside that tiny house of yours - lets hit the town!" Craig encouraged her out to the curb.
"I can't afford to go out!  The Rodeo-Go-Go doesn't pay THAT much, you know!  I'm trying to save!"
"Saving, shmaving, darling.  It just means that you DO have a little money to burn on a fun night out with your good buddy Craig Elson, rather than going through your endless routine of work -home-work-home"
"It's not an endless routine!  I invite people over, we have fun! "
"Yes, I heard... last fun you had some redheaded fairy set your table on fire after some firecracker prawns and my wife had to put out the fire for you!"

Scheherazade thought back to the incident and grumbled, "I had to pay 500 simoleans for that.  Fire Department wouldn't believe me that your wife was just good with an extinguisher when they arrived and claimed they were fining me for the prank.  Serves me right for having so many fairies at my house at once."
"Anyway!  You need to lighten up!  I heard MN8 is going to be buzzing tonight and we are going!" Craig pushed her into the cab and they headed off.

At the club, Scheherazade found that she was having a ball.  It was different being on the other side of the bar for once.  It was fantastic to let loose and relax.  "Hey, Miss Mixologist.  You know my friend there is a pretty ace Mixologist herself?" Craig suddenly piped up while ordering his drink.

"Is that so, huh?"  Tho Mixologist looked at Scheherazade carefully.  "If you're so good, how come I have never heard of you?"
"I work over at the Rodeo-Go-Go."
"That place is a dive."
"It's HOMEY.  Just because the clientelle is different, doesn't mean the staff are a bunch of yokels.  In fact, most of our customers are respectable people who just want a relaxing drink after work."
"Is that so, hot stuff?  Well, how about you show me what you got?"

"You can do it, Sche!" encouraged Craig as Scheherazade stepped behind the bar.
"This had better not have been part of the plan for the evening!" she forced through gritted teeth and a forced smile.
"Not at all.  But you're the one always talking about your money issues.  Maybe if you worked somewhere better paying, you'd be better off!"

So Scheherazade broke out all of her moves, ...

...all of her flair...

... and even managed to have a laugh doing it.

"That was amazing!  Boss, boss - we have GOT to hire her!"
"Bars do make money, when can you start?"

------
Generation One: Revealed
Family Structure: ?
Number of children: ?
Primary Income: Mixologist
Secondary Income(s): ?
Generation Goal: ?
Miscellaneous Fun: ?

------
Random Bonus Shot:

Once again, I just LOVE her facial expressions.

1.3. Everybody Has To Start Somewhere

"Four hundred Simoleans for one night's work?" Scheherazade glanced up at the poster above the venue.  "I hope nobody got the wrong idea.  I just want to do Mixology... not... THAT!"
Scheherazade thought back to the phone call earlier.  Somebody claiming to be the agent for the venue had said that he had received a tip-off that she was an up and coming Mixologist looking to prove herself in town.  The job wasn't pretty - get those drinks to customers and get them out fast.  High pressure, some some of the town's who's who would be there.  And she would have a chance to get noticed.  It would also pay handsomely considering the stressful situation.  Please, thought Scheherazade to herself, let him have not meant that she would have to service drinks while pole dancing.  Taking a deep breathe, she made her way inside.

 
"Who kicked major ass?  Who is the genie?  Who. Is. THE. GENIE? C'mon Sim-ess.  What do you say?"
Uhhhh, I take it that went well, Schera?
"I can walk the walk, talk the talk and mix the mixers! I have big things coming ahead of me!"
Scheherazade went home with a fist full of cash and bigger hopes than ever before.  The next day, she was sure to find work!

She had been going from bar to bar all evening.  No luck.  everybody already had all the Mixologists they needed.  Despite last night's performance, Scheherazade was still considered an unknown.  Eventually she made her way into a dingy little spot called Rodeo-Go-Go.
"What can I get you?" drawled the Mixologist behind the bar.
"You wouldn't by any chance have a job available?" asked Scheherazade, sick to death of the pattern of ask-for-a-drink, pay-for-drink and try-to-make-small-talk-only-to-have-the-door-closed-in-your-face.
The Mixologist raised an eyebrow and smirked.  "I'm thinking of going off on a bit of a vacation, but before I can I have to find a replacement.  Tell you what - how about you come over here and fix me a drink and then we'll talk about the position."

Scheherazade tried to orient herself behind the unfamiliar bar.  "Come on, Sche, you can do this," she whispered under her breathe.  Suddenly, with a job on the line, Scheherazade felt under more pressure than the previous evening.

"Do you even know what you're doing there?"  The Mixologist walked back over, as Scheherazade grabbed a glass and started cleaning it.
"Yes, I'm just figuring out where you keep things.  It's a bit different from MY bar.  Now if you want a drink, you had better get back to the other side of the counter and order one."  Once he had made his way back, Scheherazade started to show him what she could do.

With a touch of flair...

... and a cheeky grin, she mixed his drink.

"This is good.  Really good.  For a second there I was worried.  But you know your stuff.  I'll speak to the manager this evening, but come back tomorrow.  You should have yourself a job."



The next evening, Scheherazade made sure to get to the bar early,  No customers would be waiting for her to arrive.  The manager let her in and smiled at her.  "You know, sweetheart, it doesn't start buzzing until later."  Scheherazade looked at the eccentric fellow in his pirate hat, "That's OK, sir - I'll be ready when it does start!"  She started enthusiastically cleaning the glasses.

It kept her bust while she waited...

 ... and waited.  "Hey, Boss-man.  Is anybody going to show up?"
As she asked, the door opened and the former Mixologist walked in - wearing a bathrobe.
"A drink for my girlfriend," he called out as he came in through the door.
"A bit presumptuous, don't you think?" laughed Scheherazade.
He laughed back, "No, not you.  My girlfriend will be here in a few minutes.  We'll be flying straight off once we've had something to drink."  He sat himself at the bar, while Scheherazade started making the drink.

CRASH!

Scheherazade could not believe her eyes.  That woman was inhuman!  Not that being human seemed to be a norm in this town, but - she was downright monstrous!

"Are you sure this was a good idea?  The girl looks incompetent," snarls the woman.
"Yes, angel, I'm sure.  It'll be worth it.  Trust me."

"Muh... my mistake.  Must have not dried my hands off properly.  Let me clean that up and fix you another."

"There you go.  Hope you enjoy it." Scheherazade presented the wolf woman with the drink.
'Doubt it," came the growled response.

"This is.. this is... really good."
"I told you so, my angel."

Scheherazade breathed a sigh of relief.  She would be alright, after all.

Later that night, the bar was hopping with activity.  Including some of the most excitable customer Scheherazade could imagine.

Eventually, nobody was left except for her manager.
"Scher, we have made a killing today.  You should probably head home and rest."

When she got home it was all Schereazade could do to drag herself into bed.  Nary a chore was done, though she thought about it as she drifted off.  But it had been a good day.  She felt like she had been noticed.

Perhaps she was more correct than she realized.


------
Generation One: Revealed
Family Structure: ?
Number of children: ?
Primary Income: Mixologist
Secondary Income(s): ?
Generation Goal: ?
Miscellaneous Fun: ?

------
Random Bonus Shot:

Not much can be said for the intelligence of the Mixologists at the other bars in town.

1.2. Making Friends And Meeting People

"New in town.  Nobody knows me.  And I can't find anywhere that'll let me work for them.  That's just... great." Scheherazade mused to herself.  "Maybe, if I take care of meeting some people, I'll be able to find a job.  That makes sense right?  This is the kind of town where doors open once people know you... I should head out and meet some people.  Today is going to be... magic.  I can just feel it."

Scheherazade caught a cab into town and started walking around.  It wasn't long before someone approached her.

"Heyyyyy!  You wouldn't by any chance know where the lost diamond of Emperor Alfarou is?" wheedles a blonde woman in a white dress before Scheherazade can notice the man in the long duster and runners coming up towards her.

"No.  I'm afraid I don't?  But I am looking for people who know more about this town that I do.  Are you a local?"

"Why?" questioned the blonde.  What's in it for me?

The man stopped short behind the two nattering women.  That girl with the purple hair, she had been intriguing... but now she was speaking with Lash.  He would never stand a chance.  Lash would see to that.  But he had to try.

"Excuse me, Miss.  I hate to interrupt your conversation.  Are you new in town?"

"Yes, I am!  Say, is this "the strip"?  You know, where all the famous people and places are?"

Scheherazade was completely oblivious to Lash, now behind her.

"Sure is.  Some places are so exclusive, you need special invitations or tickets to get in."

But Lash was not about to let anybody spoil her fun.  

"Hey!  You;re a genie, aren't you!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"Cos I'm one too! How long have you been out of the lamp?"

"Not long at all.  I've only just gotten to town."

Lash worked fast, before Harry could interfere again.

"Well, I know the most amazing place.  But we have got to go to my place first so that I can get you all dolled up." 

Scheherazade could not believe her luck!  Meeting a fellow genie!  And one kind enough to give her a helping hand.

Soon, Scheherazade was at Lash's mansion.  Lash had pulled out a gorgeous dress, perfect for Scheherazade.

  

"Lash, I... I don't know how to thank you.  This is gorgeous.  And you're really going to help me get a job?"

"Yes, I need a slave after all, don't I?"

"That's not a funny joke."

"It's not a joke."

Lash cackled, "My previous mistress kept me in a dusty old lamp for years and never cleaned it!  But the tables have turned!  Oh yes... and now I shall have a slave of my very own! Muahahahha!"

"Maybe," Scheherazade thought, "I should make like a tree... and leaf before she notices."

(Really, THIS is a time to pun?)

Scheherazade quickly excused herself to get changed out of the dress and climbed out of the bathroom window to make a speedy escape.

"Sim-ess, that genie was NUTS!"

Sometimes, too many years alone will do that to a Sim, Scheherazade.

Sheherazade was paying too much attention behind her to look where she was going and suddenly found herself falling backwards as something pelted into her.

"Oooof!" She crumpled over her.  Her hands which had instinctively curled towards her stomach came away wet... and cold.  "What... what happened?" Scheherazade tried to figure out what was happening, relieved to see that whatever it was, at least it wasn't red.  She pulled herself up and saw the most odd, winged person in front of her.

The scarlet haired fairy raised her hands up.  "Ooops.  Looks like I gotcha by accident.  I was trying to pelt my husband with a water balloon.... you ran in front of me."

The fairy came to help Scheherazade up as a much finer looking fae man in a suit walked up to them.  "What have you done this time, my dearest?" he sighed at the scarlet haired fairy.

" I was trying to get YOU, my darling.  But my aim was off."

Scheherazade was stunned.  She had heard of fairies, but had never seen any before.  

The red head turned to her again. "You can call me, Aeobhell and this is my husband, Marcus.  I'm sorry about the mishap.  Allow me to give you some fairy dust.  It should bring you luck and will hopefully help make up for my mistake."

"Thank you.  Hopefully it will help me get a job!" Scheherazade gratefully caught the fairy's gift.

"Hmmm, it normally brings luck in other areas.  But what job are you looking for?"

"I'm a mixologist.  But work seems to be pretty slim at the moment."

Aeobhell grinned.  "Perhaps you'll have an opportunity to work soon.  But it is getting late and Marcus and I can't leave the children alone with the babysitter all night.  Best of luck to you."

"And to you!  Thank you!"

After her long day of "trying to make connections" Scheherazade was exhausted.  She soon collapsed into a deep sleep - but was woken in the middle of the night by strange sounds in her living room.

"Holy Simoly!  Sim-ess!  There's an alien in my living room!"

It would appear so.  Maybe you should offer it one of those drinks?

" I got such a fright, I sparkled myself!  What- What do you want?! That wasn't a publicity stunt last night was it?"

The alien turned to look at her.  And then threw over a pillow.

Soon a full-fledged battle was being waged...

At first the alien had the upper hand.

But Scheherazade rallied and soon...

... began to enjoy herself.

Eventually the alien capitulated.  Taking a deep bow it said, "You may now go and epak with my colleague.  She waits for you outside."

"A mad genie.  Kind fairies and now aliens.  How much weirder could my evening possibly get?" murmured Scheherazade as she walked out into the rain.

The alien stood in a halo of light, beside the local dumpster.

"What's going on?  What was that pillow fight about?"

The alien whispered back, "It was a test.  But it seems we have come too soon.  We are at the beginning of the stories."

"The beginning of the stories?"

" I wish I could tell you more.  But it might influence the time stream.  We came back a little too soon."

"I'm tired.  It;s almost dawn.  Can't you just level with me?"

"Have you not noticed the strange events that occur around you?  You live in interesting times.  That is not for no reason."

"Wait - you know about my future?"

"I know of your legacy. It won't be much of a legacy if you don't learn to pay attention to what is around you.  Look to your right, Scheherazade."

  "Cute zombie!  do I get with the cute zombie?"

"...No.  But such strange instances and strange creatures and people are drawn to you.  You are named for the teller of the tales."

With a flick of her hands, Scheherazade banished the zombie.  "Actually, she took her name from me.  Where do you think she got all those stories from - I got very bored in that lamp!"

 "The moon sets, teller of tales.  You should be at home."

"I do!  I need to look for work in the morning!"

The alien stands and watches her run home.

"Good luck, Tale Teller.  We will be watching you and your children, and your children's children... until the time is right."

------
Generation One: Revealed
Family Structure: ?
Number of children: ?
Primary Income: Mixologist
Secondary Income(s): ?
Generation Goal: ?
Miscellaneous Fun: ?

------
Random Bonus Shot:

Cutest Sim Couple in my game, ever - and I am not even playing them.